Kiwi driver Liam Lawson has claimed his first pole position in Formula 2 on Saturday (NZ time).
Lawson set the quickest time of the qualifying session for the grand prix in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku, edging his Hitech Grand Prix teammate Jüri Vips in a close tussle for pole for Sunday’s feature race.
"I haven't had a pole position in such a long time," Lawson says.
"I had one last year in Formula 3, but it was because in front having penalties, so it doesn't really count. To have it outright on track is pretty cool."
The 19-year-old will line up 10th for the first sprint race later on Saturday, which uses a partially reversed grid.
Fellow New Zealander Marcus Armstrong has qualified sixth fastest.
Lawson will be seeking retribution for the disappointment of the last grand prix in Monaco, where he was stripped of a win due to a "technical non-conformity", after starting second on the grid.
